From Blah to Beautiful in a Few Easy Steps

Posted on Wednesday, June 8th, 2011 at 1:20 pm

I’m a big fan of layering. Big. Layering helps make a home look like it has evolved over time. With so many hard surfaces found in a room (especially in kitchens and baths), it is important to balance them out. You do this through fabrics, rugs, throws, etc. — anything that can add softness and dimension to a space. Take a look to see what a difference layering can make…

Before:

before = blah. notice how everything is the same height as well? boring!

Making Changes:

layering begins -- much better!

After:

wallah! accessories take it to a whole new level!

See how adding a few accessories can completely change the look of a room?!

The before picture shows the bones of the room, but it’s too hard! By adding a rug, mirror, ottoman, and bench at the foot of the bed, it is slowly being softened and dimension is being created. The final touches were the accessories ( notice the shoes??!!) such as the books, the throws, and artwork.

This client’s kitchen held a few custom pillows as well as a custom banquette we made out of some discard fabric; the rest were hand me downs in the space.

See what a difference mixing the elements (wood and iron) and softening the edges can make?

after- beautiful!!

Bottom line: Mix it up! If it’s a hard surface, find a way to soften it. If there is a lot of new, add some old. If wood is the theme, bring in a little metal. In short, layering will “take the edge off” — literally.

What inspires me? It depends on the day, the time, and my mood. Perhaps it is a certain color, a certain fabric, or even a texture that comes my way. For each project I begin, I let the home dictate where I need to go. Where is the sun in relation to the space, and how does the room need to function? What needs to be added- or taken away- to ensure the home ages well? I find my inspiration, and I am off to create an elegant, yet functional space that looks like it has evolved over time. text